David Warner's tribute to 'sweet, caring' wife Candice

She was the target of vile abuse by South African cricket fans over the weekend, but Candice Warner is keeping her head up.

The mother-of-two celebrated her 32nd birthday on Tuesday, and her cricket star husband, David Warner, made sure to pay tribute to "his rock" with a sweet post on social media.

Sharing a collage of photos to Instagram, David wrote, "Happy birthday to the lady of my life @candywarner1 sweet, caring, loving mother and wife. May your day be a great one filled with happiness and joy. Can’t wait to spend the day with you."

A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31) on Mar 12, 2018 at 12:35pm PDT

The post showed multiple images of the high-profile couple and their daughters, Ivy, 3, and Indi, 2.

It comes after footage emerged of the Aussie vice captain losing his temper at Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, while in a stairwell on the way to the dressing room, during the first Test in Durban. Later, it was revealed David was reacting to a personal sledge about the mother of his children.

Both players were charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

But the drama continued in the second match of the series -- which Candice and her two children attended -- when Proteas team officials were pictured posing with fans who were taunting David and his wife by wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks.

Candice has expressed her regret over a sexual encounter with the footballer more than 10 years ago.

David previously said he endures relentless attacks about his wife from spectators, but admitted his reaction to de Kock was "probably out of line."

"I responded emotionally and regretted the way I played out," he said between Tests. "But I’ll always stick up for my family."

You would think that in the year 2018, professional athletes would have figured out that dragging a woman's name through the mud -- in an effort to shame her about her sexual past -- affords zero winners.